When many people say they don't believe in God b/c He is "unnecessary" due to science, it takes me back to the account in Eden. Adam, in effect, shared the very same sentiment. He thought he could be alright (even better) without God as sovereign over him. But the question is, was Adam correct? What have the millennia of recorded human history proven? Let's reexamine the concept of accurate knowledge for a moment. Science is revered by many atheists and agnostics as the true and acceptable way to attain accurate knowledge. Of course the Christian claims that God's Word contains accurate knowledge of the truth. What really is the correct view of matters? To determine that you have to examine the evidence from both sides. Through science, we have been able to discover many things about the earth, our bodies, and our health. How does the Bible compare? Though not a science textbook, Biblical references to all 3 harmonize with modern scientific discovery. It does not embrace the mistaken views held by the majority during the time of its writing, as we would expect. Consider the following examples:
Mistaken ancient Earth view #1: The earth is supported over massive animals.
Ancient Biblical record: Job 26:7- God stretches out the north over the void and hangs the earth upon nothing. So over 3,000 years ago, the Bible correctly noted that the earth has no visible support.
Mistaken ancient Earth view #2: The earth is a flat platform.
Ancient Biblical record: Isaiah 40:22- God dwells above the "circle" of the earth. The Hebrew word "chugh" translated "circle" can also mean "sphere" which is why some translations also render it to say "globe", or "round", etc. This of course, is in agreement with the recent discovery of the earth's general round shape.This is long before Christopher Columbus or anyone in the Renaissance period made discoveries to make this view widespread. This shows that the Bible was not influenced by the erroneous, flat-earth view prevalent when it was written.
Mistaken Ancient Earth view #3: the flow of rivers to oceans (water cycle) did not create overflow because an equal amount of water was falling off of the ends of the (flat) earth.
Ancient Biblical record: Eccl. 1:7- "Every river flows into the sea, but the sea is not yet full. The water returns to where the rivers began, and starts all over again". With the aid of science, we finally figured out the water cycle. The sun pumps up water in the form of vapor, which produces clouds that carry precipitation back to the rivers that flow again into the oceans.
Another interesting harmonization of ancient Biblical account with modern discoveries of health and the human body is also evident upon examination.
Mistaken Ancient Health View #1: according to the Egyptians Papyrus Ebers (ancient medical document) excrement is a safe, effective healing treatment for many ailments.
Ancient Biblical record: At Deut. 23:13 the Israelites were directed: "When you squat outside, you must also dig a hole with [a digging instrument] and turn and cover your excrement." Though the Egyptians were using (infectious) excrement for medical treatment, the Bible directed safe disposal of sewage. Up until the 20th century, the danger of leaving excrement exposed to flies was generally not known. This resulted in the spread of serious fly-borne diseases and the death of many people.
Mistaken Health View #2: It's ok not to wash your hands after handling dead bodies.
Ancient Biblical record: God's law to the Israelites degrees that anyone touching a dead person became unclean and must wash himself and his garments (Numbers 19:11-22). In the 19th century, medical personnel would go directly from handling the dead to conducting examinations in the maternity ward without washing their hands. Infection was thus transferred from the dead, and many others died. Likely unknown to these fairly recent doctors, they were rejecting the ancient wisdom in the Bible.
In addition to rejecting erroneous views of health, the Bible is also ahead of science in insight into the workings of the human body.
Recent Health Discovery #1: Medical research has discovered that the blood-coating element vitamin K rises to an adequate level only by the 8th day of a child's life. Also, another essential clotting element, prothrombin, seems to be higher on the 8th day than at any other time during a child's life.
Ancient Biblical Record: As a sign if a covenant with Abraham, God said: "Every male of yours eight days old must be circumcised." Later this requirement was repeated to the nation of Israel (Gen. 17:12, Lev. 12:2,3). No explanation was given why the "eighth" day was specified, but now we can explain. Is this a mere coincidence? It is clear that this law was given by a God who knew his creation.
Recent Medical Discovery #2: There is a close alliance between mental attitude and emotions and physical health. The way we think and feel can effect the way our organs and organ
systems function. Science has come to realize that lack of love is a major factor in many mental ills and other physical health problems. For example, the British medical journal "Lancet" once noted: By far the most significant discovery of mental science is the power of love to protect and to restore the mind." In addition, a noted stress specialist, Dr. Hans Selye said: "It is not the hated person or the frustrating boss who will get ulcers, hypertensions, and heart disease. It is the one who hates or the one who permits himself to be frustrated. 'Love thy neighbor' is one of the safest bits of medical advice ever given."
Ancient Biblical Record: The close connection between mental attitude and physical health was long ago referred to in the Bible. For example it says: "A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism, but jealously is rottenness to the bones" (Proverbs 14:30; 17:22). The Bible also kindly and wisely directs people away from damaging emotions and attitudes. "Let us walk decently," it admonishes, "not in strife or jealousy". It also counsels: "Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all badness. But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate". (Romans 13:13; Ephesians 4:31, 32) The Bible especially recommends love. Colossians 3-12:15 admonishes us to "clothe ourselves with love". Think too about the 2 greatest commandments, also referred to as the Golden Rule (Matthew 22:37-40). Also remember the Sermon on the Mount. There we are told to continue to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44).
So we see from all this that ancient people, no matter how ignorant of science, were in good shape as long as they were obedient to God's commands. God's commands, regardless if we understand them are not are for our benefit, even today. It is quite possible that if man had not chosen to disobey and rebel, rejecting God's sovereignty, humanity would be far more advanced than we are today. Look at how late we are in our discoveries compared to the Bible. All of this well underscores the fact God, not man or his methods, are the rightful sovereign. It also beautifully demonstrates Jesus' statement at Matthew 4:4 which is: "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth".
Edited by goldrush, : No reason given.
Edited by goldrush, : No reason given.
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